Line fastening unit

ABSTRACT

A line securing or fastening device having a base, a neck tapering upwardly from the base and a generally arcuate knob portion on top of the neck and two transverse wedge-shaped channel openings through the principal axis passing through the device and the channels separating the neck and knob into four segments or posts open at the top and adapted to be firmly secured to a structure such as a hull or deck so as to provide an easy means of adjustably securing lines, such as mooring lines and admitting of quick release from the fastening device.

The present invention relates to a line fastening unit and morespecifically to a new and improved form of cleat, bollard or chockprimarily useful in boating applications and most beneficial in thesetting of mooring lines aboard a boat or on a dock or wharf. Actually,the devices of the present invention find utility in miscellaneous areaswhere lines require fastening and adjusting and where a simple, fastsecuring means is desirable. An example of the latter is in theintegration of the present structure into tent stakes for adjusting thesecuring lines. In marine applications, aside from in mooring utility,the present invention is useful for halyards, sheets, and all manner ofrigging lines requiring adjustability while being secure and capable ofrapid disengagement. The units also find additional utility incenterboard adjustment, rigging steering line, rigging to balance therudder and in vangs for tightening or flattening of sails.

The prior art, as regards line fastening structures, runs from standardone-piece bollards to intricate jam and cam cleats and characteristicstructures are suggested in the prior art represented by the linecontrol means of U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,714 to C. O. H. Wallin, et al,utilizing a friction-inducing surface in a variety of forms; U.S. Pat.No. 3,838,659 to William H. Coleman, II directed to a split-toppedmarine bitt or bollard; U.S. Pat. No. 1,960,171 to A. M. Seeger for anelectric wire line holder having a through passage; and U.S. Pat. No.3,352,273 to Alexander G. Herreshoff, et al for a deck-mounted andradial-slotted cleat. None of these devices show or suggest thestructure of the present line fastening unit and none show or suggestthe functional range of the present line fastening structure.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to providea new and very simple line fastening device which has multiple uses forfastening a broad range of line sizes and without the use of knots andin avoidance of excessive wear from high friction surfaces causingshearing, jamming and crushing of the line.

Another object is to provide a line holding device which is extremelyeasy to use in freeing line quickly and with or without followingadjustment of the line and refastening.

Another object is to provide a line fastening device which blocksagainst movement of line in one direction of travel and which, bymanipulation of the line, allows for adjustment of the holding positionby paying out or taking up line.

Still another object is to create a line holding unit which iseconomical to use, simple to install and which requires no maintenancein a form to accept mooring loops in the manner of a bollard whileserving as a handy winch or brake in picking up and letting out linewith no moving parts aside from the line manipulation.

Other objects will be appreciated by those familiar in the art ofsecuring lines and working lines as the description proceeds.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In general, the present inventive structure comprises a line fasteningunit having a mounting base with a connected neck portion which risesupwardly in an upwardly flaring taper and the neck portion is connectedat its end to a knob-like cap structure or extension and in which twowedgeshaped channels form connecting openings running through theprincipal axis of the cap and neck. This structure results in fourslightly flared projections topped by the cap portions and uniquelypresenting an entirely new and useful means for holding line in thegeneral manner of a cleat, chock, or bollard, even without knots orformed line loops. In use, the line fastening structure of thisinvention is fastened in a vertical, horizontal or angled relation inconsideration of line direction as to a deck, hull or a wall structure.Then, a line having a terminal loop is easily dropped over the upwardlyprojecting neck to provide terminal mooring hardware. In line which doesnot include a loop, the line may be conveniently secured by a normalcleating motion of the line and with a cinching simple knot.Alternatively, as will be seen, line may encircle and pass through thewedge slots in one direction, make at least a quarter further encirclingturn, and then crossing the line through the second wedge slots orchannel provides ample connection of line to the fastening unit so thatall forces tending to remove the line on the working end results in africtional increasingly secure grip on the line. The edges of thestructure engaging the line cause selective locking, as desired.However, the line is easily and quickly released by lifting the bitterend of the line out of the wedge channel and from around the neck orpost portion of the line fastening device. As will also be seen, thebitter end of a running line can be passed through one of the wedgeopenings and by forming, then, a running loop with the working end ofthe line to overlay the extension of the bitter end and encircle theneck, the working end is locked against withdrawal and, however, can betaken up by pulling on the bitter end or relaxed by paying out line fromthe bitter end. In mooring, this permits easy and rapid adjustingcontrol of mooring lines, including balance of pairs of mooring orspring lines, and where the holding or slippage is wholly controlled bythe operator or user without knots or plural windings of line. The wedgechannel form assures adaptability to a wide size range of line and itsfunction is independent of the type and style of line, weave or braid.The angular edges and the direction of line thrust against those fixededges assures a very good hold on the line and as securely or as easilyas an operator wishes without attention to knots and springs or movingcleats and wedges. The profile of the unit is reasonably low and theunits may be fashioned from metal, plastic, wood, or decorativecombinations of these where, for example, a plural element structure ofbase, neck, and knob or cap is desirable in manufacture or appearance.The preferred embodiment from the point of view of simplicity is theone-piece integrated unit.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a line fastener in accord withthe present invention integrally formed from a single piece of stock.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the line fastener seen in FIG. 1 andindicating the transverse upwardly flaring channeling through theprincipal axis of the unit.

FIG. 3 is a full section elevation view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2and best illustrates the depth of the flared or wedge-shaped channelsand the arcuate or conical base shallowly conical at the bottom thereofto improve deck mounting as through the fastener openings and usingscrews or like structure, such as bolts, for hull or deck attachment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure of FIG. 3 and indicatingthe arrangement of fastener openings.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway top plan section view taken on a planethrough the unit of FIG. 1 or 3 and above a line cast on the fastenerand adjustable by paying out or taking up line on the bitter end to theright of the FIG. 5 and causing locking of the working end as removalstresses tension the line on the working end.

FIG. 6 is the same as the FIG. 5 but with the bitter end of the line andthe working end of the line reversed to lock the working end and adjustat the bitter end.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of a modified linefastening unit in two-part line form and taken through the principalaxis of the line fastener unit on a plane through one of the wedge slotsor channels and indicating a socket-like arrangement and the two-partconstruction.

FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of the base in the embodiment of FIG. 7 andindicating the keying and socketing arrangement cast into or otherwiseprovided in the base.

FIG. 9 is a cross section plan view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 7 andindicating the mating keying configuration of the neck portion and withbase fastening provisions.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings and with first particularity to the FIG. 1,the construction of the line restraint or line fastening device 11 canbe broadly understood. The fastening device 11 is a one-piece orintegral construction in which the base portion 12 is adapted forfastening to a deck or use environment surface by fasteners through thefastener openings 13 and through the deck or hull (not shown). Upwardlyfrom the base 12 and on the principal axis thereof is the neck portion14. Where the base 12 is conical, generated by the surface 15, the neckportion 14 is also conical on the same axis as the base 12 but upwardlyand outwardly flaring. As seen, the neck portion 14 and base 12 meet atthe truncation line 16. Topping the neck portion 14 is an arcuatelyformed and enlarged knob or cap portion 17. The knob or cap 17 and theneck portion 14 are split transversely by two wedge-shaped channels orslots 18 and 19 which, on the principal axis of the structure 11,symmetrically divide the knob or cap 17 and the neck 14 into fourupstanding posts 20, 21, 22 and 23. The wedge-like channels or slots 18and 19 flare open upwardly, are open at the top, and terminate in thegenerally cruciform floor 24 located slightly above the truncation line16. A flat 25 on each of the upper ends of the posts 20, 21, 22 and 23is provided by a truncation of the arcuate cap 17, the truncation beingtransverse to the principal axis of the unit 11. The mushroom-like cap17, in connection with the neck portion 14, forms an under-cut 26 at asomewhat acute angle, as will be seen. Shoulders 27 around the fasteningopenings 13 are countersunk in the base 12 to drop fastener leads (notshown) from protruding from the conical face 15. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4further illuminate the construction as thus far described and in FIG. 3the preferred angular relationships are expressed. In general, areasonable variance of about five degrees can be tolerated but optimumangles are indicated. As will be appreciated, the wedge channels 18 and19 are configured to open upwardly and are sized to accommodate a broadrange of line sizes to the point where they can enter the slots of 18and 19 and be easily lifted therefrom. It will be appreciated that sizescan be changed without adverse performance and that the profile can belowered to the extent that overall strength is not adversely influenced.In FIG. 3, the arched or shallow conical configuration of the bottom 28of the base 12 can best be appreciated. This assures upward movement ofline to the neck portion 14. As courses of line are added, they jam uponthe edges formed by the under-cut 26 at intersection with wedge channels18 and 19.

In general, the terms "bottom," "top," "upwardly" and the like havereference to a unit 11 mounted in a horizontal position as shown in FIG.3 so that the perimeter of base 12 is flush against a deck or connectingsurface. It will be appreciated that the unit 11 may be mounted at rightangles to the position shown in FIG. 3 as, for example, in use as a mastmount cleat device, and at intermediate angles as necessitated by hulldesign or mounting surface.

All line contacting edges are rounded on a radius of at least about 1/32inch so that as lines are convoluted between and around the posts 20,21, 22 and 23 and against the edges of under-cut 26 or the edges formedby the cruciform floor 24, there is no tendency to cut the usualmaterial or fibers of the line. It is preferred that the entire linecontacting surface of the unit 11 be smooth to the feel.

In use, the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 present a wide variety ofopportunities for the rigging and security of line. In the manner of abollard or cleat, a terminal loop on a mooring line is easily droppedover the knob or cap 17 and rides on the neck 14 secure until freed.Line may also be knotted around the neck portion 14 secured by theunder-cut 26 and cap 17 against an upward bias. In the manner of usualcleating, the line may be convoluted through the wedge channels 18 and19 and around selected alternate posts 20, 21, 22 and 23 and anytendency to raise the line encounters the brake stop of the under-cut26, as well as the plural engagement with impinging edges of the posts20, 21, 22 and 23. Where a simple holding adjustment is desired, a turnof line around the neck portion 14 allows the line to be eased off oreasily tightened. More importantly, no knots need be used where the lineenters through one of the wedge channels 18 and 19 and is then woundaround one or more of posts 20, 21, 22 and 23 in a left or right castand then the bitter bend of the line is positioned through one of thechannels 18 and 19 over the top of prior runs. The working end of theline is secure against the unit 11 until failure of fastenings or line.The wedge channels 18 and 19 provide simple, fair leads at entry of aline for fastening and then the combination of the structure of the unit11 and the tensions in the working end of line achieve lock-up againstthe line that is convenient and accommodating to various usages. Plurallines can also be used on the same unit 11 and variations in line sizeswithin the capacity of a given unit can be accommodated. For example, inthe unit illustrated acceptance of lines from one-quarter inch diameterto fiveeighths inch diameter are satisfactorily handled. This isespecially beneficial where a balanced pair of mooring lines are used.By reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the units 11 are illustrated to show aform of use well beyond the capability of other known cleats andfasteners and providing an approximation of cam cleats without therequirement of moving parts and springs. The FIGS. 5 and 6 show a usageof the unit 11 in either direction to adjust the working end 29 of aline 30 by manual control of the bitter end 31 of the line 30. Theworking end 29 is the outboard end of the line 30 usually considered asconnected to a point such as a dock or towed vessel or the like. Thebitter end 31 is the inboard end of line 30 and the end manipulated tohold or attach to the fastening unit 11. The bitter end 31, in hand, ispassed through one of the wedge channels 18 and 19 and a loop is thenformed around a pair of the posts as 20 and 22 to pass over the entry ofthe bitter end 31 and around the neck 14 and thence to the connection ofthe working end 29. Slack in the working end 29 can be taken up bypulling on the bitter end 31. Alternatively, the paying out of the workend 29 can be achieved by using the line connected to the bitter end torelax through the wedge channel 18. Tensioning the bitter end 31 locksthe working end. When adjusted, the bitter end 31 can be curled aroundthe neck 14 and laid up over the line 30 in channel 18 and line 30 inchannel 19. This allows quick pick-up of slack from the bitter end 31and release of the fastening, if desired, without resort to untying anyknots or involving complex manipulation.

The FIG. 6 illustrates the exact juxtaposition of the bitter end 31 andworking end 29 on the fastening unit 11. The same operational proceduresare applicable and in both instances tension from the working end 29will not free but lock the line 30, as shown, against edges of post 23where the line 30 abruptly changes direction and the urging of the line30 downwardly on bitter end 31 against the shoulder surface of the edgeof the cruciform floor 24 against the drop of the neck 14 at thetruncation line 16 between base 12 and tapered neck 14. The taper of theneck 14 urges this downward force by the line 30 as it crosses the sideof the bitter end 31.

The described function will be readily appreciated by sailors andboaters to extend the working range of the simple cleat or chock of unit11.

Fasteners, as screws, 32 pass through the base 12 for rigid connectionof the unit 11 with heads of the fasteners 32 resting on the countersinkshoulders 27 seen best in FIGS. 1-4.

The FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 refer to a modified form 11' of the line fasteneror restraint unit 11. This modification permits the unit 11' to beformed in two pieces, the head portion 40 and the base portion 41 and inother particulars constructed as the line fastener 11, earlierdescribed. The head 40 rests in a socket 42 provided in base portion 41and fasteners 43 (one or more) secure the head 40 in the socket 42 ofthe base 41. This axially aligns the head portion with the base 41. Thearched bottom 44 of the base 41 assures firm deck or hull mountingcontact of the unit 11' wherein mounting fasteners 32 (previouslydescribed) are passed through openings 13 and against shoulders 27. Thisis better understood by reference to the base 41 as seen in FIG. 8. Inthat FIG. 8, the openings 45 for the fasteners 43 are best understood asrunning upwardly through the socket 42 for threaded connection of thehead 40 as seen in FIG. 7. In addition, the radial key projections 46projecting into the socket 42 are best appreciated. These, as can beseen in FIG. 9, cooperate with corresponding keyways 47 which nestablyreceive the key projections 46 upon assembly in prevention of anyrelative movement between the head portion 40 and base 41. Themodification in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 allows the fastener unit 11' to beproduction cast in two or more parts for processing and assembly andwithout impairing ultimate strength and function. This eliminatesconsiderable machining and finishing. Fastener units 11 and 11' may bemade in metals (brass, aluminum, plastic, and plated die-cast), as wellas wood and composites. Working edges (those contacting line) aredeburred and given a radius of about one-thirty second of an inch.

Observors can perceive that devices in accord with the present inventionmay be worked up from the solid, investment cast and machined or made upin composites as shown in the FIGS. 7-9, inclusive. Various sizes andvariant profiles can be made.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment and alternate operableunits, those skilled in the art will quickly perceive improvements,modifications and changes and such improvements, modifications andchanges are intended to be included herein, limited only by the scope ofmy hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A line fastening unit comprising:a mounting base; a neckportion connected to said base and rising therefrom with a gradualup-flaring taper; a knob-like cap structure surmounting said neckportion and forming, at intersection of cap and neck, an angled groove,said cap and neck portions having two downward tapering wedge-shapedchannel openings transverse to each other and through the principal axisof said cap and neck.
 2. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said baseis in a horizontal plane, the upper surface thereof chamfered at about athirty degree angle from horizontal and faired at the junction with saidneck portion, said neck rising from said base in an upwardly flaringtruncated cone of about thirty degrees to intersect a plane conicsurface forming an acute angle with the underside of said cap andwherein said wedge-shaped channel openings through said principal axisof cap and neck are upwardly flared at about ten degrees.
 3. In thecombination of claim 1 wherein said base, said neck portion, saidknob-like cap are an integral unit.
 4. A line fastening unitcomprising:a mounting base having a regular conic form, a shallowerconic bottom, and including apertured transverse means for attachment ofsaid base to adjacent structure at point of use; a neck portionconnected to said base on the axis thereof and rising therefrom in agradual upwardly expanding taper in a cone form; and a knob-like capstructure surmounting said neck portion and forming at intersection ofsaid cap and neck portions an angled perimeter groove, said cap and neckportions having two downward tapering wedge-shaped connecting channelopenings transverse to each other and through the principal axis of saidcap and neck, said channel openings bottoming above the juncture of saidbase and said neck portion.